The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has suggested forming a separate committee of reputed government institutions to assess the suitability, safety, and design of the current breakwater layout for the Kulai harbour project. Institutions such as IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, or NIO Goa could be considered for this committee, which aims to provide a comprehensive review of the project amidst concerns raised by local fishermen.
During a recent meeting involving the NMPA and Fisheries Minister Mankal S. Vaidya, fishermen expressed apprehensions about the harbour’s impact on navigation safety, especially during monsoons. Following these concerns, the minister decided to put the project on hold until IIT Madras provides a second opinion within ten days. The NMPA’s proposal to form a new committee is part of its efforts to ensure an unbiased and conflict-free evaluation of the harbour’s design and safety.
Stakeholders and Progress
The NMPA clarified that the Director of Fisheries and NMPA should not be part of the proposed committee to avoid conflicts of interest, as they represent the project’s proponents and implementing agency, respectively. Furthermore, the process must align with regulatory norms.
The Kulai harbour project, initiated under the Sagarmala scheme, has seen extensive planning since 1998, including studies by CWPRS Pune and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) by CICEF Bengaluru. Despite securing administrative approval in 2018, the project faced delays due to consultations and recent opposition from fishermen.
Currently, 26% of the harbour’s construction is completed, with work halted since October 17 following protests. A November 27 meeting attended by the Fisheries Minister addressed fishermen’s concerns, particularly about manoeuvring country boats during the monsoon. CWPRS Pune assured that the harbour’s design ensures safe navigation even during adverse weather conditions, based on oceanographic data and model studies conducted earlier.
Background and Future Steps
The union and state governments identified the current location after analyzing four potential sites. The project is designed to support local fishing activities and enhance infrastructure under the Sagarmala scheme. Once completed, the NMPA will transfer operational and maintenance responsibilities to the state government.
While NMPA emphasized that prior consultations and studies were extensive, the proposed committee seeks to address lingering concerns and foster trust among local stakeholders. As the review progresses, stakeholders await clarity on the project’s future timeline and the resolution of fishermen’s apprehensions.
